[PhxCliff]

What are you guys using for ash control/cleanup in the bottom of your excels?  I'm looking for an ash pan that will sit nicely in the bottom so I don't have hot ash/coals burning the finish on the bottom.

[PAT YOUNG]

ONE OF THE METAL OIL DRAIN PANS FROM CHECKER, AUTO ZONE, ETC SHOULD WORK!

[Crash]

We use nothing Cliff.  I havent noticed any discoloration/cracking/etc. on the bottom of ours. 

Good suggestion Pat, we'll have to try that out for ash cleanup.

[azkitch]

Good idea, Mr. Ambassador. I've got a pizza pan to use in the bottom of my future drum smoker, but it's only 14". Those things come in about 17-18 inch range? That'd work...

[SmoknAZ]

ONE OF THE METAL OIL DRAIN PANS FROM CHECKER, AUTO ZONE, ETC SHOULD WORK!

Would the sparks be hot enough to burn into the galvanized coating of the pan?

[toys4dlr]

Hit the pan with the weed burner and the Galv will be gone.  Just stand up wind while doing it.

[PAT YOUNG]

HEY, I totally wasn't thinking about the type of cooker your using - please don't use anything galvanized, for some reason i was thinking about under a diamond plate to catch the ashes and small coals! sorry for the mis info and even though i have seen galv. metal used in various ways through the years, like over a pit in the ground, i would be very careful about it due to the toxins it gives off! In most cases regular steel is not only safe but it will last a long time like cast iron! sorry for the wrong response! PAT

[RudedoggAZ]

I don't use anything cause I'm scared how it will affect the air flow on the bottom 3 vents. I'm always worried about keeping the temp on this beast so I just make sure and dump the ashes 3 days after every use. Unless I smoke a couple times on I weekend I let it go cause I don't want to throw out any hot coals.

[Uzona]

Put me down in the don't use anything category.   I just dump the ashes out when its cooled down and hose it out every now and then.  I'm more concerned about protecting the finish on the outside than on the bottom of the inside. 

[RangerJurena]

I don't use anything cause I'm scared how it will affect the air flow on the bottom 3 vents. I'm always worried about keeping the temp on this beast so I just make sure and dump the ashes 3 days after every use. Unless I smoke a couple times on I weekend I let it go cause I don't want to throw out any hot coals.

I use nothing here either. Especially since I always have some issue with getting to temp.  I do however, dump the next day each time.

I'm always concerned I spilled some water over the side or something may have dripped down which could lead to rust.

[KidCurry]

Nothing here!  Dump and rinse as needed, that's what i do.